Towards Osaka Blue Ocean Vision - G20 Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastic Litter

Republic of Maldives

Actions and Progress on Marine Plastic Litter
Last Update : 2021/11/25

Policy framework

National Action Plan:

Name:
National Strategic Action Plan 2019 – 2023

Brief description:
Strategic Action Plan (SAP) highlights the development targets and priorities of the government from 2019 to 2023. The SAP serves as the main implementation and monitoring tool to track the progress of the delivery of the Government’s policies and development priorities. The document presents 5 sectors and 33 subsectors whereby “Jazeera Dhiriulhun” is the sector relevant to Ministry of Environment which encompasses a subsector as “waste as a resource”. This sector highlights key policies, strategies, actions and targets to be achieved by waste sector. Waste as a resource incorporates 4 policies. Policy 1: Promote waste as a valuable resource for income generation. Policy 2. Improve chemical and hazardous waste management practices to ensure protection of people and the environment. Policy 3: Reduce plastics pollution by phasing out single use plastics. Policy 4: Instill environmental values in the society and promote environmentally friendly lifestyle.
With regard to the policy 3: Reduce Plastic Pollution by Phasing out single-use plastic, Ministry has formulated the National Single-use plastic phaseout plan. This document outlines the strategic implementation plan for Single Use Plastic (SUP) Phaseout in the Maldives by 2023.
This Phaseout policy is a commitment of the Government of Maldives to phaseout SUP’s in the
Maldives by 2023, as per the Maldives Parliament Resolution of 2019 (1-ރ /2019/EC) and His
Excellency President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s declaration at the 74th session of the United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA) in 2019.

Name:
National Single-use Plastic phaseout plan 2020-2023

Brief Description:
Single-use plastic phaseout plan is a national initiative to ban the import, production and consumption of certain single use plastics into the Maldives, and promote the use of sustainable alternatives, in the effort to protect human health and the vulnerable marine environment of the country through policy measures. Furthermore, SUP phaseout plan is in align with the National Strategic Action Plan (NSAP 2019-2023) of the Government and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and 15 to affirm the Maldives commitment to phaseout single use plastic by 2023.
The key policy measures of the plan are:

  1. Ban the Import, Production and Sale of Specific SUP Products
  2. Tariffs, Taxation and Subsidies
  3. Strengthening National Waste Data and Setting Reduction Targets for Plastic Packaging
  4. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
  5. Sustainable Provision of Alternatives
  6. Education and Awareness

The first phase of the SUP plan began with the ratification of the 18th Amendment to Import Export Act law on December 22,2020 which vests the president with powers to ban the import of SUP’s. Therefore, the Presidential Decree to ban the import of single-use plastics identified in the SUP phaseout plan was announced in December 30, 2020. However, due to the pandemic some of the timelines in the decree was delayed and the new effective dates are announced by the president on 31st May 2021. There are total 13 single-use plastic items subjected to ban under the presidential decree. These items will be phaseout in different timelines. Therefore, total 8 single-use plastic items will be banned effective from 01st June 2021. The Presidential Decree to ban the import of single-use plastics identified in the SUP will be available via

https://www.environment.gov.mv/v2/en/download/11888

The legal framework to ban the production and usage of these single-use plastic items has been submitted to People’s Majilis. Therefore, as soon as this gets approved the production and usage of the single-use plastic items will also be in effective from the date approved by the Majilis.

Overview of the policy instruments in the single-use plastic phaseout plan.

Policy 1: Ban the Import, Production and Sale of specific single-use plastics
Ban the production, import and sale of single-use plastic plastics in Maldives. The list of single-use plastic items identified in the plan are those that are easily found as litter. In addition, these items will have easily and affordable alternatives in the Market of Maldives

Policy 2: Market Based Instruments (MBI’s)
Policy two uses various market based or economic instruments to discourage the consumption of different types of single-use plastics while simultaneously providing incentives to change to environmentally friendly alternatives. Market based strategies under this policy include:

A) Increase in tariff for various SUP’s
B) Duty exemption for alternatives to SUP’s
C) Levies from consumers, on point of sale from certain SUP’s
D) Incentives and Business facilitations programmes targeted for local businesses and SME’s that import, manufacture and sell plastic free alternatives

Policy 3: Strengthening National Waste Data Base and Setting Reduction Targets for plastic Packaging
Strengthen national Import Data of Single-use plastics and Determine National Reduction and collection targets by 2023

Policy 4: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Pass legislation on Producer Responsibility on Packaging, whereby the roles and responsibilities of importers, producers and distributors take full or partial economic and physical responsibility for the environmental product design, separate collection and end-of life management of single-use plastic products

Policy 5: Sustainable Provision of Alternatives
Provision of sustainable alternatives will be introduced and implemented under this policy action. In addition to this, certain measures will be taken to strengthen the sustainability performance in different sectors.

Policy 6: Education and Awareness
Education and Awareness is one of key policy action to create awareness about the policy initiatives about the single use plastic phaseout plan and to promote sustainable lifestyle Therefore, a National Awareness Campaign (2021-2023) has been inaugurated in April 2021. The　Objective of this campaign is to aware public about the key policies under the single-use plastic phaseout plan and encourage people to adapt to environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Legal framework

Name:
Import Export bill no: 31/79 (7/2020)

Brief description:
The new amendment for the Import Export bill has been ratified recently and it’s effective from 1st August 2020. It states that Single Use Plastics that are being identified by the government of Maldives will be banned from January 2021.

Update:
Due to the pandemic there has been changes to the timeline of the import ban. Therefore, the ratification of the 18th Amendment to Import Export Act law has been passed on December 22,2020 which vests the president with powers to ban the import of SUP’s. hence, the Presidential Decree to ban the import of single-use plastics identified in the SUP phaseout plan was announced in December 30, 2020 Updated list will be available via https://www.environment.gov.mv/v2/en/download/11888

b) Environment Protection and Preservation Act 1993
Under Environmental Protection and Preservation Act Disposal of waste, oil, poisonous substances and other harmful substances within the territory of the Republic of Maldives is prohibited. Waste shall be disposed only in the areas designated for the purpose by the government.

Indicators

  1. By 2023, phase out of importation, production and use of single use plastics in the country is enforced
  2. By 2021, Develop a national policy framework on pollution prevention
  3. Develop a Single use plastic regulation by 2021
  4. Implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for identified categories of single use plastic
    Phase out single use plastic bottles and introduce water coolers provide access to safe drinking water in public spaces
  5. Formulate a comprehensive policy and implementation framework on the ban of single use plastics with short, medium, and long-term goals

Measures

Measures

Achievements

Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation

Charge for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws)

Names of actions:
Increase Tariff and Introduce levy

Targeted products:
Increase tariff: List of items given in the Single-use plastic phaseout plan
https://www.environment.gov.mv/v2/wp-content/files/publications/20210425-pub-single-use-plastic-phase-out-plan.pdf

Introduce levy:
List of items given in the single-use plastic phaseout plan
https://www.environment.gov.mv/v2/wp-content/files/publications/20210425-pub-single-use-plastic-phase-out-plan.pdf

Brief description:
To discourage consumers to use single-use plastic items, it is one of the key policy initiatives under the Single-use plastic phaseout plan to charge for single-use plastic products. Will be implemented in 2021.

We do not see any particular trend

Comments:
Amendment to the Import Export Law will be introduced to increase tariff and Amendment to tax law will be introduced to incorporate the items for levy. The estimated date for policy changes to be effective is at the end of this year.

Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design

Names of actions:
Duty exemption of environmentally friendly products

Brief description:
To encourage consumers to use environmentally friendly items, it is one of the key policy initiatives under the Single-use plastic phaseout plan to charge for single-use plastic products. Will be implemented in 2021.

 Comments:
Amendment to the Import Export Law will be introduced for duty exemption of environmentally friendly products. The estimated date for policy changes to be effective is at the end of this year.

Measures

Achievements

Environmentally sound waste management

Enforcement of proper waste management system

Names of actions:
Establishment of 3 Regional Waste Management Facilities, waste transfer stations and upgrading of IWMCs (Island Waste Management Centers)

Brief description:
The plan is to construct IWMCs on each inhabited island. It is mandatory for each island council to have a waste management plan to manage waste at island level. Waste should be segregated before transferring it to the nearest regional facility or transfer stations Biodegradable waste should be managed at island level. The transfer stations are yet in the planning stage; currently there is a plan to develop 4 transfer stations in 4 zones. And 3 regional waste management centers in the major 3 zones. Currently, there are 3 major waste to energy projects ongoing focused for regional facilities. Waste management equipment’s are being provided to island waste management centers by the projects focused for each zone. However, there is still a need of more funding to provide waste management equipment and to establish a proper waste management system.

Weighing scales has been provided to zone 2 islands (46 islands) to weigh waste daily and report the types and amount of waste generated daily. Waste weighing and segregation starts from July 2021 for the mentioned islands and waste data will be collected daily.

We do not see any particular trend

Comments:
Positive improvement cannot be seen yet since the regional facilities and transfer stations has not been established or are fully operational yet. There is a funding and technical resource requirement for the system to be fully effective efficient after the establishment.

Numerical data if any:
New IWMCs planned for this 2021: 43
Upgrades of IWMC planned for 2021: 31
Planned to provide waste management equipment for 54 islands this year.

Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean

Names of actions:

  1. Waste Management regulation effective from 2013
  2. Waste bill- currently being finalized
  3. Environmental Protection and Preservation Act 1993
  4. Awareness programs for waste management best practices and impacts of littering
  5. Development of Marine Pollution Policy

Brief description:
1Waste Management regulation
The key elements of the regulations include: ensure safe disposal and transfer of solid waste and encourage recycling and reduction in waste generated, develop guidelines on waste management and disposal and advocate enforcing these guidelines through inter-sectoral collaboration and ensure safe disposal of chemical, industrial and hazardous waste.

2) Waste Bill
Comprehensive policy framework for better waste Management, addressing roles and responsibilities for stakeholders involved in managing the waste

3) Environment Protection and Preservation Act 1993
Under Environmental Protection and Preservation Act Disposal of waste, oil, poisonous substances and other harmful substances within the territory of the Republic of Maldives is prohibited. Waste shall be disposed only in the areas designated for the purpose by the government.

4) Awareness Programs
Littering on the roads or beaches or in public places is banned under waste management regulation and there are a penalty for the litterers.
Various awareness sessions have been undertaken by ministry and environment protection agency in this regard

5) National Pollution Prevention Policy
Development of a National Pollution Prevention Policy is in the draft stage and it is aimed to be implemented by 2021. This policy is to strengthen legislation in the overall works related to pollution, including marine, air and land. Also, to strengthen the monitoring of the management of pollution control and to protect the human health and the environment for a sustainable future.

We do not see any particular trend

Comments:
Geographical dispersion id one of the biggest challenges for Maldives to ensure safe disposal of waste. Even though some of the policies are implemented, we do not see particular trend as the infrastructure needed for the successful implementation of these policies are still under progress

Measures

Achievements

Cleanup of marine plastic litter

Collection of scattered waste on beach

Names of actions:
a) Local Beach clean ups by NGOs

c) Ghost nets and their points of origin of identification by Olive ridley project

d) Plastic Intercept

Brief description:
e) Local Beach Cleanups Environmental Active NGOs organize clean ups and collect the scattered waste on beaches. These clean ups are done frequently. In addition, dustbins are placed by the government and non-governmental organizations in the public areas to avoid littering. “Save the beach Maldives” is one of the active NGO organizing these clean up events. More information via https://savethebeachvillingili.wordpress.com/

f) Ghost nets and their points of origin of identification by Olive ridley project
The Olive Ridley Project (ORP) is on a mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and rehabilitation, education and outreach, and scientific research. More information about the activities via: https://oliveridley project.org/ghost

g) Plastic Intercept
Avoid and Intercept Plastic
(The plastics intercepted by fishermen and collected at designated collection points were handed over to Parley for the Oceans, who Maldives has been closely working with to recycle and reuse plastic wastes).

We see a positive improvement from last two years
We do not see any particular trend

Comments:
These cleanups are conducted by NGOs randomly. And most of the statistics of the collected wastes are recorded by the individual NGOs. And, most of these data are not published regularly.
Removal of plastic litter from the ocean

Names of actions:
Reef Clean ups

Brief description:
Non-governmental organizations such as environmental NGOs conduct random reef clean ups.
These NGOs includes, parley Maldives and Save the beach Maldives.

Details of their work can be via: https://savethebeachvillingili.wordpress.com/
https://www.maldives.parley.tv/

☒We see a positive improvement from last two years
☒We do not see any particular trend

Comments:
These cleanups are conducted by NGOs randomly. And most of the statistics of the collected wastes are recorded by the individual NGOs. And, most of these data are not published regularly.

Measures

Achievements

Promotion of innovative solutions

Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed loop recycling and so on’)

Names of actions:
1- Pass regulation on the new bio degradable bag standard

Brief description:
The new regulation on the standardization of biodegradable plastic bags has been put into effect from 15 June 2021. With regard to this new regulation bio degradable bags can be allowed at 0 percent duty if only the standard of the bag complies with the new regulation for biodegradable bags. More information via: https://www.gazette.gov.mv/gazette/download/6145

2- Duty exemption on plastic free alternatives
This policy action is one of the key policy initiatives under the single-use plastic phaseout plan. Therefore, an amendment to the Import Export Law of Maldives will be introduced to incorporate environmentally friendly products for duty exemption. Will be implemented in 2021

☒We do not see any particular trend

Comments:
New policy actions are being taken started from this year, so no significant change recorded yet

Measures

Achievements

Education and awareness raising

Education system for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues

a) Teacher Handbook
Developed to educate teachers about best waste management practices. This will include impacts of single use plastics on marine organism. Content for the handbook is currently being developed.

b) School awareness sessions
School sessions are on hold this year due to covid pandemic. However, there was one session taken for a school regarding single use plastic phase-out plan. There is a plan to conduct virtual sessions for schools starting from Mid August, These sessions will focus of SUP, best waste management practices, laws and regulations for waste management.

c)Farukoe program
Brief description: Farukoe is an ocean exploration program by the Ministry of Education of the Maldives that invites every single school student of the Maldives to explore the reefs around them. There are set of activities under this program with given timelines. Activities as such includes, banning single-use plastics in all schools and aware students about the impacts of single-use plastics. In addition, this program encourages and educated students on marine plastic pollution issues and guide them how they can be part of the change. More information on this program can be via: https://www.farukoe.com/

We see a positive improvement from last two years

Awareness raising campaigns related to MPL

National level:
a) Names of actions:
“Saafu Raaje campaign” initiated in 2015 Aims to promote public education and awareness on proper waste management practices and in this manner, reduce the amount of waste being thrown out on to the streets, parks and other public places and in to the sea. The campaign was run in collaboration with other government ministries, the civil society and NGOs.

b) National Awareness campaign on phasing out Single Use Plastic in Maldives (“PlastikaaNulaa” campaign)
With the Implementation of Single use plastic phaseout plan, an awareness campaign was launched to address to reduce the consumption of single use of plastics, and nudge consumers to shift away from single use plastics and use sustainable alternatives.

c) Community mobilization sessions
Aims to aware the community about waste management policy, best waste management practices, effects of marine pollution, ways we can reduce and refuse plastic consumption and the importance of 3R. These sessions are targeted to selective audiences at Island Level.

Local level:
Names of actions:
Clean blue Maldives

Brief description:
Clean Blue Maldives is a programme led by commonseas, UK based NGO, in partnership with the government of Maldives. This programme is currently being conducted in the B.atoll. Namoona Baa initiative was launched by the signatories of the Charter, as a pilot project to demonstrate what sustainable waste management can look like on small islands. Namoona means ‘exemplary’ in the Dhivehi language. More information via:
https://commonseas.com/countries/clean-blue-maldives

National level:
We see a positive improvement from last two years

Local level:
We see a positive improvement from last two years

Measures

Achievements

Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter

Actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics

Names of actions:
Development of a microplastic testing lab in MMRI (Maldives Marine Research Institute)

Brief description:
Currently, with the help of UK government, under the CLiP (Commonwealth litter program) project, there is a development of microplastic lab in MMRI. This is great opportunity for Maldives to explore and improve research areas related to marine plastic pollution.

Actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics

We do not see any particular trend

Challenges

  • Recycling system improvement
  • Proper waste management system (including lack of local capacity)
  • Data collection related to waste in general
  • Data collection related to marine plastic litter
  • Lack of awareness among citizens, business, local governments
  • Lack of financial incentives for waste treatment in general
  • Lack of financial incentives for technology development
  • Project delays due to COVID-19

Best practices

National level-

  • BATNEEC (Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Costs) in RWMF (Regional Waste Management Facility) and 1 recycling facility in Maldives for fitting local scale
    • Conduct feasibility study for establishing a recycling facility in Maldives
    • Provision of sorting technologies and material recovery technologies in at least 1 RMWF (Regional Waste Management Facility)
  • b) Pass legislation on Producer Responsibility on Packaging whereby the roles and responsibilities of importers, producers, and distributors take full or partial economic and physical responsibility for the environmental product design, separate collection, and end-of life management of single-use plastic products
  • c) Implement a mechanism to extract nonbiodegradable waste generated in inhabited islands and ensure safe transportation to Thilafushi annually until the Regional Waste Management and Treatment Facilities are operational

Local level

  • Develop and implement an SOP for waste segregation at the household level in all administrative islands
  • Revise the current waste management model employed in the inhabited islands, as per the recommendations of existing technical studies to ensure sustainability
  • Develop a framework to conduct waste audit at island level
  • Conduct comprehensive waste audits across all islands to identify volume of different waste streams and to formulate reduction targets
  • Incentivize plastic free packaging on locally made food and other products

Private sector

  • Parley Maldives
    Parley Maldives is active in implementing the Avoid. Intercept. Redesign (AIR) strategy. Parley have set up collection points all major schools of Male’ and entered into agreements with fishing vessels to collect PET bottles every day. In 2016, Parley collected 75,000-80,000 5 litre PET bottles every day. Furthermore, only by intercepting the PET bottles that are going to Thilafushi, they exported 3 million 5-litre PET bottles in December 2015 to an Adidas manufacturing facility in Taiwan; where they are being remade into fashion, or sport wear. As of December 2019, Parley is in partnership with 88 schools, 46 resorts, 41 councils, 35 government organisations, 18 cafes’ in Male’, 7 guesthouses, and 2 safaris. In total, from December 2016 to August 2019, Parley has sent sixty 40ft containers weighing over 1000 tons to the Adidas facility in Taiwan.
  • Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO)– (state owned company)
    WAMCO is a state-owned company responsible for waste collection and disposal at regional facilities. Segregated plastics brought to WAMCO by individuals, clean-ups, or organisations are compacted or baled on site for exporting, to be recycled. In 2017, WAMCO generated a revenue of over one million Rufiyaa by exporting plastics, cardboard, and metals to regional facilities in Asia.
  • Secure bag
    Secure Bag is a private business engaged in the exportation of reusable, and recyclable materials since 2004. Their main business segment is exporting scrap metals, such as copper, aluminium, brass, and batteries. Plastics are only a small portion of the business, which is done out of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The company can be said to be the largest private buyer and collector of PET bottles in the Maldives. They mainly buy PET bottles from the second hand “Neelan” shop in the Maldives, from Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), tourist resorts, and other islands. They export 20-30 tons of PET every three to six months. In 2017, Secure Bag exported 80 tons of plastic waste, parings and scrap. This is an increase from the latest export value provided by Secure Bag in 2014, which was 55 tons.

International cooperation

  • Commonwealth clean ocean alliance (CCOA)
    In 2020, Maldives joined commonwealth clean ocean alliance, a working group aiming to take actions on tackling marine plastic pollution.
  • Group of Friends Maldives is one of the member states and co-chaire of the Group of Friends. The Group of Friends (GoF) would seek to push for action that would help to effectively address plastic pollution at the global level. Supporting the ongoing work under the UN Environmental Assembly will be one of the main objectives of the Group of Friends in this regard. Building on the efforts taking place in various forums and at various levels of government and society, the GoF will play a significant role to strengthen the political momentum and to shepherd the transformation of these different efforts towards an effective, coherent, and coordinated action and solutions to address plastic pollution. As all countries are represented through their UNHQ-based Missions (unlike at other forums where these issues are being addressed), the GoF is well-positioned to engage all stakeholders consistently.

    The Group of Friends to Combat Marine Plastic Pollution has been established under the co-chairmanship of Maldives, Norway and Antigua & Barbuda to formulate a response at the global level to raise awareness and to advocate for action to combat marine plastic pollution. Presently, 46 member states of the UN have joined the Group of Friends.

Contact details

Tel: +(960) 301 8300
Email: secretariat@environment.gov.mv

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